Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02701920 2013-04-02
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING AND/OR PRESENTING A
CONDENSED LIST OF CHANNELS
BACKGROUND
The inventive filed relates generally to presentation of channels to a user
via a
client device, such as a set top box (STB), digital video recorder (DVR) or
similar device.
The inventive field also relates to providing a condensed list of channels via
such devices.
The proliferation of subscription television programming, the increasing
number of
available channels, and the corresponding increase in television programming
have led to
continued development of onscreen programming directories and guides. Such
onscreen
programming solutions, collectively referred to herein as electronic program
guides
(EPGs), have ranged from programming information for each channel scrolling
vertically
across the screen to user controllable interfaces that allow users to examine
scheduling
information describing television programming to be broadcast in the future.
In addition to allowing direct selection of a channel, for example, by
entering the
channel number using a remote control, client devices may allow a user to
select a channel
from a listing of channels displayed on a television, monitor or other display
device.
Although only some channels may be displayed at a given time via the EPG, the
EPG
includes a listing of all channels that may be accessed from the EPG and
displayed, for
example, by scrolling or entering a channel number while viewing the guide.
SUMMARY
Known EPGs provide access to programming information in various ways.
However, conventional EPGs do not present a condensed list of channels to the
user of a
client device. Absent being set up by the user, such as to exclude channels
that a client
device is not configured to receive, the EPG of the client device is
configured to display
all available channels to the user of the client device.
1
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
The ever increasing number of channels available for viewing and/or recording
via a
client device may present a user with an overwhelming number of choices.
Although the
number of channels that a client device is configured to receive may be
reduced, this is not
typically an acceptable solution. Thus, there is a need to present a user with
a condensed list
of channels, for example, that is of particular interest to the user.
For example, some embodiments systems and methods may present a user with a
condensed list of channels, for example, based on the user's viewing
preferences. For
example, viewing of channels by the user via the client device may be
monitored to select a
plurality of channels for presentation as a "favorites list" of channels. Such
a "favorites list"
of channels may be particular to the user or to the client device.
Some embodiments may provide such a condensed list of channels based on an
amount of time spent on each channel and/or a frequency of viewing each
channel. In
particular, stickiness of channels as a function of time may be determined.
Channels viewed
may be ranked accordingly, and a limited number of channels may be presented
as the
condensed list of channels based on the ranking. For example, the top ten
ranked channels
may be included in the condensed list.
In some embodiments, the ranking may be updated continuously or periodically,
for
example, to account for any changes in the viewing habits of the user(s) of
the client device.
Thus, the condensed list of channels may be updated automatically.
In some embodiments, the condensed list of channels may be dynamic or time
adjustable. In such embodiments, a different condensed list of channels may be
presented to
the user as time passes throughout the day, the week, the month and/or the
year. Thus, the
time of day, week, etc. may be taken into account to determine the condensed
list of channels
to be presented.
As a supplement to time and/or frequency, content of the channels viewed via
the
client device may be used to determine the condensed list of channels. For
example, types,
themes , genres, etc. of channels, as well a program content of channels, may
be used. In
some embodiments, the user's profile and/or preferences, stored on the client
device or
elsewhere, may be used, for example, to weight certain channels for inclusion
in the
condensed list of channels. For example, channels that include content that is
of particular
interest to the user based on his profile and/or preferences may receive more
credit for the
time and/or frequency of viewing.
2
CA 02701920 2013-04-02
In some embodiments, one or more condensed lists may be stored, either on the
client device or elsewhere. Such embodiments may prevent the loss of such
data, for
example, if power is lost at the client device.
In some embodiments, the condensed list(s) of channels may be presented via
the
EPG of the client device, hi such embodiments, a plurality of condensed lists
may be
presented to the user for selection, for example, as particular to a certain
user and/or time
of day. Alternatively or additionally, the client device may be configured to
operated in an
abridged mode in which the condensed list(s) of channels are presented to the
user.
In some embodiments, a client device may be configured to perform monitoring
of
channels viewed via the client device and generating of one or more condensed
lists of
channels. In other embodiments, such operations may be performed remotely from
the
client device, for example, to provide the condensed list(s) of channels to
the client device.
Some embodiments may provide a method of generating a condensed list of
programming channels for display on a client device of a broadcasting system,
the method
comprising: monitoring, at a broadcast service provider location, programming
channels
viewed via a plurality of client devices that are each configured to receive a
plurality of
programming channels, at least two of the plurality of client devices located
at separate
locations in at least one of a geographic area that includes multiple
households and a
broadcast service area that includes multiple households; selecting, at the
broadcast
service provider location, a subset of the plurality of programming channels
based at least
in part on at least one of a frequency and an amount of time of viewing of the
programming channels; associating the subset of the plurality of programming
channels
together into a group; generating a condensed list of the programming channels
in the
group, the condensed list of programming channels being for display on a
presentation
device associated with at least one of the plurality of client devices; and
transmitting the
condensed list of the programming channels for presentation on the
presentation device
via at least one of the plurality of client devices.
Some embodiments may provide a system for generating a condensed list of
programming channels for display on a client device of a broadcasting system,
the
generating system comprising: a plurality of client devices, at least two of
the plurality of
client devices located at separate locations in at least one of a geographic
area that
includes multiple households and a broadcast service area that includes
multiple
households, each of the plurality of client devices configured to receive a
plurality of
programming channels from a source of programming; and a processor, located at
a
3
CA 02701920 2013-04-02
broadcast service provider location, the processor configured to monitor the
plurality of
programming channels viewed via each of the plurality of client devices, to
select a subset
of the plurality of programming channels based at least in part on at least
one of a
frequency and an amount of time of viewing of the programming channels, to
associate the
subset together into a group, and to generate a condensed list of programming
channels in
the group, the condensed list of programming channels being for display on a
presentation
device associated with at least one of the plurality of client devices,
wherein the processor
is further configured to transmit the condensed list of programming channels
to the at least
one of the plurality of client devices for presentation to a user on a
presentation device
associated with the at least one of the plurality of client devices.
Some embodiments may provide a computer-readable storage medium having
stored thereon instructions for execution by a computer to perform a method
of:
monitoring, at a broadcast service provider location, programming channels
viewed via a
plurality of client devices, each of the plurality of client devices
configured to receive a
plurality of channels, at least two of the plurality of client devices being
located at separate
locations in at least one of a geographic area that includes multiple
households and a
broadcast service area that includes multiple households; selecting, at the
broadcast
service provider location, a subset of the plurality of programming channels
based at least
in part on at least one of a frequency and an amount of time of viewing of the
programming channels; associating the subset of the plurality of programming
channels
together into a group; generating a condensed list of programming channels,
the
condensed list being for display on a presentation device associated with at
least one of the
plurality of client devices; and transmitting, to the at least one of the
plurality of client
devices, the condensed list of programming channels, for presentation to a
user, on the
presentation device via the at least one of the plurality of client devices.
By using various embodiments, a subset of the available channels may be
presented to a user of a client device based on viewing habits of the user.
3a
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Various details of the present invention may will be better understood on
reading the
following detailed description of non-limiting embodiments, and on examining
the
accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating various components of an
example
of a direct broadcast satellite television system;
Figure 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating an example of operations
for
generating a condensed list of channels;
Figures 3-5 illustrate a flowchart of another example of operations for
generating a
condensed list of channels that may be associated with a specified time
period;
Figures 6-8 illustrate a flowchart of another example of operations for
generating a
condensed list of channels that may be associated with a specified content;
and
Figure 9 illustrates a flowchart of another example of operations for
generating a
condensed list of channels that may be associated with a specified user.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
As used herein, the term "client device" is intended to encompass a device
that is
configured to receive programs and program information from a broadcast source
(e.g.,
satellite, cable, Internet, etc.) and to display the programs and the program
information on a
display device, such as a television or a monitor. Although not restricted to
a particular
implementation, the term "client device" is intended to encompass set top
boxes, satellite
receivers, digital video recorders, and the like. The client devices described
herein may be
considered to be embodied in software and/or hardware that facilitate the
reception and
display of programs and program information from a broadcast source.
The embodiments shown in the Figures illustrate systems and methods that may
allow
one or more condensed lists of channels to be generated for a client device. A
condensed list
of channels is a subset of a plurality of channels that the client device is
configured to receive
from a broadcast source. Thus, a condensed list of channels may provide a user
of the client
device with an abridged listing of channels for display, and thus may reduce
the time that
may be required to locate channels and/or programs that the user may wish to
view and/or
record.
The subset may be determined or selected, for example, based on the channels
viewed
via the client device. Thus, in general, the channels viewed via the client
device may provide
an indication of a user's interests based on his viewing habits. As such, a
condensed list of
4
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
channels may comprise a subset of most viewed channels (e.g., top ten
channels), thus
creating a customized channel list or "favorites list" of channels. For the
sake of brevity and
clarity, only viewing of channels is discussed with respect to the embodiments
shown in the
Figures. However, it should be understood that recording of channels may also
be monitored
and included as part of the basis for determining or selecting the subset of
channels.
Embodiments disclosed herein may automatically generate the condensed list(s)
of
channels. Thus, a user of a client device need not manually set up a
"favorites list" of
channels. However, it should be understood that various parameters to be used
in generating
condensed list(s) of channels may be set by user input. Such parameters may be
used in
combination with data regarding the channels viewed via the client device to
information to
determine or select a subset of channels to be included in a condensed list of
channels.
In particular, parameters such as times of day, days of the week, months of
the year,
climate seasons, programming seasons, etc. may be set by the user of the
client device, or
may be preset by a broadcast service provider or other entity. Other
parameters such as
channel and/or program content may be set by the user, for example, to be used
to generate a
condensed list of channels related to a particular interest, such as sports,
movies, etc. One or
more categories based on content may be generated in part based on a user
profile and/or user
preferences, for example. Also, such categories may be preset by the broadcast
service
provider or other entity to generate a default set of condensed lists of
channels that are
available to the user of the client device. For example, separate condensed
lists of channels
may be generated for sports, movies, sitcoms, children, adult, news, etc.,
based on the
channels viewed in each category, i.e., channels including such content.
While the description herein may refer to a single client device, it should be
understood that the generation of condensed lists of channels may be applied
to plural client
devices. For example, channels viewed by a group of client devices may be
monitored to
generate one or more condensed lists of channels that is/are available to each
in the group.
The group may be defined as appropriate or desired, such as all client devices
in a particular
household or on a particular account, a geographic or broadcast service area,
etc.
Also, one or more condensed lists of channels may be generated for a specific
client
device and/or a specific user of a client device. As such, each user of a
client device may
have one or more personalized condensed lists of channels made available to
that user on the
client device.
The block diagrams shown in Figures 1 and 2 and the flowcharts shown in
Figures 3-
9 are for illustration only and are not intended to represent the only
possible system
5
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
configurations and operational flows. In particular, it should be understood
that operations
may be added, omitted and reordered as may be suitable to a particular
application. Also,
individual components may be added, omitted, replaced and interrelated as may
be suitable to
a particular application. All details appurtenant to implementing the
exemplary systems and
methods that are well understood in the art are omitted for simplicity and
clarity.
The embodiments shown in the Figures illustrate systems and methods that may
provide a condensed list of channels via a client device. As described herein,
the condensed
list of channels may be generated based on the viewing of channels via the
client device.
FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram that shows various components that may be
used
to implement a broadcast system in which such a condensed list of channels may
be
generated. The example shown relates to a direct broadcast satellite system,
although any
programming source and/or broadcasts system may be employed.
A broadcast service provider 2 may transmit signals including programs and
programming information to a satellite 6, which in turn may downlink the
signals to a
suitable satellite antenna 4. Front end processing may be employed to convert
the received
signals, as appropriate or desired, for transmission to a client device 12,
such as a satellite
receiver, via coaxial cable, for example. The client device 12 may include a
tuner or tuners
14, which may be configured to select a specific channel from the downlinked
signal. The
tuner(s) 14 may be controlled by a central processing unit (CPU) 16 of the
client device 12,
for example, based on user input.
The selected channel may be directed from the tuner 14 to a demultiplexer 26,
as
appropriate or desired. For example, the demultiplexer 26 may be an integrated
circuit that
accepts a packetized, time domain multiplexed data stream from the tuner 14
and routes the
packets to various areas within the satellite receiver 12. The demultiplexer
26 may also
descramble encrypted data, provide various buffering of data, and handle a
program clock
reference to keep a local clock synchronized with the clock at the broadcast
service provider
2 or an uplink center (not shown). Programming data may be output from the
demultiplexer
26 and routed to a central processing unit (CPU) 16, which may assemble the
data into an
EPG 22 stored in a memory 18.
Video may be output as a compressed video stream 25, which may be accepted by
a
video decompresser 28. Audio may be output as a compressed audio stream 27,
which may
be accepted by an audio decompresser 30. The video decompresser 28 and the
audio
decompresser 30 may accept video stream 25 and audio stream 27, respectively,
and
decompress them into baseband digital signals. The video stream 25 may then be
fed to a
6
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
video digital to analog converter 32 and the audio stream 27 may be fed to a
video digital to
analog converter 34. The converters 32 and 34 may decode the digital signals
and output
resulting analog baseband signals to a TV/monitor 36 and/or a VCR device 38.
The EPG 22 may be a database containing information including names or titles
of
viewing events (programs), corresponding channel numbers and names, brief
descriptions of
the programs, start and finish times, and rating and content information
related to the events.
The central processing unit 16 may execute an EPG program 20, which may take
the
information stored in the EPG 22 and the information to a processor 17. The
processor 17
may process the information and output a signal, which, after being filtered
by a filter 19,
may become a video baseband signal that may be combined with the video
baseband signal to
be displayed on the television/monitor 36.
A user may manipulate the client device 12 via a remote control device 40 or a
keypad 42. The remote control device 40 may communicate with the CPU 16 by
sending an
infrared or other RF signal to a remote receiver 35, which may transfer
commands to the
CPU 16.
The EPG program 20 may comprise an instruction set that creates the EPG 22 and
allows a user to manipulate the EPG 22, as appropriate or desired, as known in
the art. While
the EPG program 20 may be implemented as hardware, the EPG program 20 may
comprise a
software program stored in the memory 18. The memory 18 may be DRAM, but also
may be
flash, ferroelectric, or other nonvolatile memory, or conventional RAM with a
battery
backup.
The CPU 16, or another processor 4 as part of the broadcast service provide,
for
example, may be configured to monitor the channels viewed by a user of the
client device 12,
for example, by monitoring the channels selected by the tuner 14. The client
device 12 may
be configured to allow the CPU 16 to determine whether the video and/or audio
signals for
the selected channel are output by the TV/monitor 36. This may avoid taking
into account
channels that are selected by the tuner 14, but not actually viewed by a user
of the client
device 12.
As discussed herein, the CPU 16 (or the processor 4) may be configured to
monitor
channels viewed via the client device 12 to implement a favorites list
routine, i.e., a routine
that generates a condensed list of channels based on the viewing of channels.
The CPU 16
may apply various parameters for implementing the routine, such as preset
parameters or
parameters set by a user via the remote control device 40 or the keypad 42.
Parameters such
7
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
as a specified period of time, a specified user, a specified content, etc., as
discussed herein,
may be used.
As channels are viewed via the client device 12, the CPU 16 may track an
amount of
time each channel is viewed. If a period of time is specified, then the CPU 16
may only track
an amount of time each channel is viewed during the specified period. If a
user is specified,
then the CPU 16 may only track an amount of time each channel is viewed when
the
specified user is using the client device 12. If content is specified, then
the CPU 16 may only
track amounts of viewing time for channels that include the specified content.
Additionally or alternatively, the CPU 16 may track a frequency that (i.e.,
how often)
each channel is viewed. Further, the CPU 16 may be configured to determine the
stickiness
of viewed channels.
Based on the viewing of channels as determined by the CUP 16, a subset of all
channels that are available to the client device may be selected. For example,
a specified
number of channels, specified either by the user of the client device 12, the
broadcast service
provider 2, or as a default on the client device 12, may be selected. For
example, the ten
"most viewed" channels may be selected. "Most viewed" may be measured by the
amount of
time each channel has been viewed, the frequency with which each channel has
been viewed,
and/or the stickiness of each viewed channel. The viewed channels may be
ranked based on
such criteria to facilitate the selection.
The CPU 16 may associate the selected channels to generate a desired condensed
channel list. As discussed above, the desired condensed channel list may be
generic to the
client device 12, i.e., taking into account all channels viewed via the client
device 12, or may
be specific to a user and/or a particular content.
Once a condensed channel list is generated, the condensed channel list may be
provided so as to be available for presentation to the user of the client
device. For example,
the CPU 16 may store the condensed channel list in the memory 18. It should be
understood
that the condensed channel list may be downloaded to the client device 12, for
example,
when generated by the processor 4 of the broadcast service provider 2 or other
separate
device. The CPU 16 may then access a default or selected condensed channel
list, for
example, from the EPG 22 to be displayed on the TV/monitor 36.
In some embodiments, a single or a default condensed channel list may be
provided
for display when the EPG 22 is summoned by a user (using the remote control
device 40 or
the keypad 42) and the EPG 22 or the client device 12 is in an "abridged"
mode.
8
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
Alternatively or additionally, multiple condensed channel lists may be
displayed to the user
for selection.
The monitoring of channels and determination regarding the viewing of channels
may
be performed simultaneously for generating multiple lists. For example, for a
client device
that is used by a plurality of identified users, such operations may be
performed while a
particular user is using the client device to obtain information for selecting
channels to
generate a condensed channel list for that user, and such obtained information
may also be
used for selecting channels to generate a condensed channel list for the
client device 12. In
other words, channels viewed by each user may form the basis for generating a
personal
condensed channel list and may contribute to generation of a general condensed
channel list
for the client device 12.
It should be understood that the monitoring of channels viewed via the client
device
may be performed continuously, periodically or only when the routine is
initiated. As such, it
should be understood that condensed channels lists that have been generated
may be updated,
for example, continuously periodically or only when the routine is initiated.
Although
updating a condensed channels list that has been generated may involve
generating a new
condensed channels list and replacing the previously generated list, it should
be understood
that individual channels of the list may be replaced or reordered without
generating an entire
new list.
It should be understood that various operations may be performed to accomplish
any
of the foregoing details. Such operations may be complex and interrelated, as
appropriate or
desired, to provide a user of a client device with varying degrees of input
regarding the
criteria for generating condensed channels lists. However, as described
herein, the actual
generation of condensed channels list is otherwise automatic. It should also
be understood
that various operations may be performed at the broadcast service provider, at
the client
device or at another separate device, as appropriate or desired.
Thus, for the sake of clarity and simplicity, a simplified block diagram of
operations
for generating a condensed list of channels is shown in FIG. 2, and operations
associated with
a specified time period, a specified content, and a specified user are
separately shown in
FIGS. 3-9. It should be understood, however, that the operations shown in
FIGS. 3-9 may be
combined in other implementations, for example, to obtain a condensed channel
list for a
specified user, to be displayed during a specified time period and populated
only with
channels including a specified content.
9
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
As illustrated in FIG. 2, a method of generating a condensed list of channels
may be
performed by four basic operations. However, it should be understood that such
illustration
is only an example and that the method may comprise fewer operations, for
example, if the
functionalities of multiple operations of FIG. 2 are combined or otherwise
characterized as a
single operation. Similarly, it should be understood that the various
operations shown in
FIGS. 3-9 are provided as only an example.
Initially, channels viewed via the client device may be monitored [BLOCK 210],
as
described above.
For each channel that is viewed via the client device, information such as the
frequency of viewing, the amount of time spent viewing and/or the stickiness
may be
determined [BLOCK 220]. Based on such information, a subset of the channels
available to
the client device may be selected [BLOCK 230]. As described above, the
selection may
involve ranking the viewed channels using the determined information and
selecting a desired
number based on the ranking, e.g., top ten ranked channels.
The selected channels may then be associated together to generate a condensed
list of
channels [BLOCK 240]. Once generated, the condensed list of channels may be
stored,
downloaded or otherwise provided to the client device to be available for
display to the user,
as discussed above.
As discussed above, a condensed list of channels may be generated that is
associated
with a specified time period. An example of operations for such an approach is
shown in
FIGS. 3-5.
At the start of the process, a favorites list routine may be initiated [BLOCK
302]. The
routine may be initiated by a user of the client device, automatically by the
client device, for
example, at start up or periodically, or by the broadcast service provider,
either locally when
the routine is performed at the service provider or remotely when the routine
is performed by
the client device or other device.
Next, a determination may be made as to whether a time period has been preset
[BLOCK 304]. If so, channels may be monitored during the preset time period
[BLOCK
306]. Then, as shown in FIG. 4, the viewing of channels via the client device
may be
determined [BLOCK 308], for example, as described above, and a subset of the
available
channels may be selected [BLOCK 3101 based on the determined viewing, as also
described
above.
The selected channels may be associated together to generate a condensed list
of
channels for the preset time period [BLOCK 312]. Finally, the condensed list
of channels
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
may be made available at the client device during the preset time period
[BLOCK 314]. The
condensed list of channels may be stored at the client device, as described
above, and then
accessed for display during the preset time period, for example, upon
receiving a
command/request based on input from the user. Thus, it is envisioned that
multiple
condensed lists of channels may be generated for different preset time periods
so that
different condensed lists of channels may be displayed during the time periods
based on
viewing habits of the user(s) during the corresponding time periods.
If a determination is made that no preset time period exists, then a request
for user
input of a time period may be made [BLOCK 316]. A determination may then be
made as to
whether a time period has been set by the user [BLOCK 318] in response to the
request. If
so, channels may be monitored during the time period set by the user [BLOCK
320]. Then,
as shown in FIG. 5, the viewing of channels via the client device may be
determined
[BLOCK 322] and a subset of the available channels may be selected [BLOCK 324]
based on
the determined viewing, as described above.
The selected channels may be associated together to generate a condensed list
of
channels for the time period set by the user [BLOCK 326]. Finally, the
condensed list of
channels may be made available at the client device during the time period set
by the user
[BLOCK 328]. The condensed list of channels may be stored at the client
device, as
described above, and then accessed for display during the time period set by
the user, for
example, upon receiving a command/request based on input from the user. Thus,
it is
envisioned that multiple condensed lists of channels may be generated for
different time
periods set by the user so that different condensed lists of channels may be
displayed during
the time periods based on viewing habits of the user(s) during the
corresponding time
periods.
Various time periods may be envisioned. For example, hours of a day may be
divided
into daytime hours, morning hours, afternoon hours, evening hours, late night
hours, or the
like. As discussed above, different condensed lists of channels may be
determined separately
and presented during such periods, for example, to take into account viewing
of channels
only during the corresponding periods. For example, a condensed list of kids
programs may
be presented during morning hours, a condensed list including network channels
may be
presented during evening hours, and a condensed list of movie channels may be
presented
during latenight hours. Different condensed lists of channels may be
presented for
other time periods as well, such as for days of the week, months of the year,
climate seasons
of the year, programming seasons of the year, sports seasons, etc.
11
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
If no time period is set by the user, then the channels may be monitored
[BLOCK
330], the viewing of channels may be determined [BLOCK 332], a subset of
available
channels may be selected [BLOCK 334], and the selected channels may be
associated to
generate a condensed channel list [BLOCK 336] irrespective of any time period,
as described
with respect to FIG. 2, for example. The condensed channel list may then be
made available
at the client device [BLOCK 338], as discussed above.
A condensed list of channels may also be generated that is associated with a
specified
content. An example of operations for such an approach is shown in FIGS. 6-8.
At the start of the process, a favorites list routine may be initiated [BLOCK
602]. As
before, the routine may be initiated by a user of the client device,
automatically by the client
device, for example, at start up or periodically, or by the broadcast service
provider, either
locally when the routine is performed at the service provider or remotely when
the routine is
performed by the client device or other device.
Next, a determination may be made as to whether a desired content has been
preset
[BLOCK 604]. If so, channels including the preset content may be monitored
[BLOCK 606].
Alternatively, channels may be monitored for the preset content in the
programs being
transmitted via the respective channels. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, the viewing
of channels
via the client device may be determined [BLOCK 608] and a subset of the
available channels
may be selected [BLOCK 610] based on the determined viewing, as described
above.
The selected channels may be associated together to generate a condensed list
of
channels for the preset content [BLOCK 612]. Finally, the condensed list of
channels may be
made available at the client device [BLOCK 614]. The condensed list of
channels may be
stored at the client device, as described above, and then accessed for
display, for example,
upon receiving a command/request based on input from the user. Thus, it is
envisioned that
multiple condensed lists of channels may be generated for different preset
content so that
different condensed lists of channels may be displayed for different preset
content.
If a determination is made that no preset content period exists, then a
request for user
input of a desired content may be made [BLOCK 616]. A determination may then
be made
as to whether a content has been identified by the user [BLOCK 618] in
response to the
request. If so, channels may be monitored for the desired content set by the
user [BLOCK
620]. Then, as shown in FIG. 8, the viewing of channels via the client device
may be
determined [BLOCK 622] and a subset of the available channels may be selected
[BLOCK
624] based on the determined viewing, as described above.
12
CA 02701920 2010-04-06
WO 2009/048753
PCT/US2008/077914
The selected channels may be associated together to generate a condensed list
of
channels for the desired content set by the user [BLOCK 626]. Finally, the
condensed list of
channels may be made available at the client device [BLOCK 628]. The condensed
list of
channels may be stored at the client device, as described above, and then
accessed for
display, for example, upon receiving a command/request based on input from the
user. Thus,
it is envisioned that multiple condensed lists of channels may be generated
for different
content set by the user so that different condensed lists of channels may be
displayed for
different content set by the user.
If no content is set by the user, then the channels may be monitored [BLOCK
630],
the viewing of channels may be determined [BLOCK 632], a subset of available
channels
may be selected [BLOCK 634], and the selected channels may be associated to
generate a
condensed channel list [BLOCK 636] irrespective of any content, as described
with respect to
FIG. 2, for example. The condensed channel list may then be made available at
the client
device [BLOCK 638], as discussed above.
Further, a condensed list of channels may be generated that is associated with
a
specified user. An example of operations for such an approach is shown in FIG.
9.
At the start of the process, a favorites list routine may be initiated [BLOCK
902]. As
before, the routine may be initiated by a user of the client device,
automatically by the client
device, for example, at start up or periodically, or by the broadcast service
provider, either
locally when the routine is performed at the service provider or remotely when
the routine is
performed by the client device or other device.
Next, a request for identification of the user of the client device may be
requested
[BLOCK 904]. A determination may then be made as to whether the user has been
identified
[BLOCK 906]. User identification may be accomplished by any suitable
technique, whether
known or hereafter developed. For example, a user may provide a password to
the client
device so that personal preferences and the like are activated when using the
client device. In
such case, the request for user identification may be omitted.
If the user is identified, channels viewed by the identified user may be
monitored
[BLOCK 908]. Then, the viewing of channels via the client device may be
determined
[BLOCK 910] and a subset of the available channels may be selected [BLOCK 9121
based on
the determined viewing, as described above.
The selected channels may be associated together to generate a condensed list
of
channels for the identified user [BLOCK 914]. Finally, the condensed list of
channels may
be made available at the client device [BLOCK 916]. The condensed list of
channels may be
13
CA 02701920 2013-04-02
stored at the client device, as described above, and then accessed for
display, for example,
whenever the identified user is using the client device and inputs a
command/request for
such display. It is envisioned that multiple condensed lists of channels may
be generated
for a particular user so that the particular user may have access to different
condensed lists
of channels, for example, for different time periods and/or different content.
If a determination is made that no user is identified, then channels may be
monitored [BLOCK 920], viewing of channels may be determined [BLOCK 922], a
subset
of available channels may be selected [BLOCK 924], and the selected channels
may be
associated to generate a condensed channel list [BLOCK 926] irrespective of
any
particular user, as described with respect to FIG. 2, for example. The
condensed channel
list may then be made available at the client device [BLOCK 928], as discussed
above.
Although not shown for the sake of clarity and simplicity, it should be
understood
that various other features described above may be incorporated in the
process.
Accordingly, the processes shown in FIGS. 2-9 should be understood as being
illustrative
only and not limiting.
The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments set
forth above, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with
the description
as a whole.
14
